Waste Prevention Programme for Northern Ireland - Stopping Waste in its Tracks

The prevention of waste is the most favourable option and is at the top of the Waste Hierarchy. Waste prevention saves money through more efficient use of materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change, and supports the principles of a circular economy.

The requirement for a Waste Prevention Programme was first introduced by the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) and was transposed into domestic legislation in Northern Ireland by The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (SR 2011/127).

The first Northern Ireland Waste Prevention Programme: The Road to Zero Waste, was published in 2014 and had thirteen actions. The Waste Prevention Programme for Northern Ireland: Stopping Waste in its Tracks, includes twenty-two ongoing and new actions to increase and raise awareness of waste prevention.

Key waste prevention measures that have been undertaken include: the Carrier Bag Levy, introduced in 2013; establishment of Northern Ireland’s first reuse and repair network - Northern Ireland Resources Network; as well as waste prevention initiatives undertaken by the third sector through DAERA funded projects to prevent food, plastics and textile waste, and increase reuse and repair. Work is ongoing to introduce a UK-wide Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

Domestically, there is a statutory obligation to review the Waste Prevention Programme at least every sixth year and it may, from time to time, be modified.   The Waste Prevention Programme was reviewed in 2019 and, modified and published in July 2020. This Waste Prevention Programme is due to be reviewed in 2025.

Waste Prevention Programme 2019 consultation:
Waste Prevention Programme for Northern Ireland 2019 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)